Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

ABIODUN, Dele

(b '55, Bendel State, Nigeria) Singer-composer, guitarist. Experimented with various styles, opted for cool, spacey sound of juju, though not a Yoruban himself. Left Nigeria for Ghana with school tuition fees to study in school of music established by Nkrumah; played bass with Ghanian highlife bands; returned to Lagos, formed own outfit Sweet Abby and the Tophitters '69, playing mixture of juju, highlife and rock; next year introduced own style called Adawa ("independent being'), fusion of juju and Afro-beat. During '70s released more than 20 LPs on Olumo label; toured UK '74 at a time when very few Nigerian records were available outside the country; during tour began using Hawaiian steel guitar, introduced it to juju. On return to Nigeria fans nicknamed him Admiral. Firmly established in top rank, released impressive Beginning Of A New Era '81, then split with Olumo; less impressive LPs E O Fura and 1,000 Miles '82 followed by return to Olumo and successful Ma Se'ke '83. More recently has followed Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey in acquiring distribution in Europe: Earthworks in UK distributed mini-LP Confrontation, album It's Time For Juju Music; new Nigerian LP was juju/funk/soul Oro Ayo '85. Adawa Super Sound was on Shanachie USA.